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Validation of the COVID-19 Digital Health Literacy Instrument in the Italian Language: A Cross-Sectional Study of Italian University Students

Author

Listed:
  • Chiara Lorini

    (Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Veronica Velasco

    (Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20123 Milan, Italy)

  • Guglielmo Bonaccorsi

    (Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Kevin Dadaczynski

    (Department of Health Science, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, 36037 Fulda, Germany
    Centre for Applied Health Science, Leuphana University Lueneburg, 21335 Lueneburg, Germany)

  • Orkan Okan

    (Department of Sports and Health Science, Technical University Munich, 80992 Munich, Germany)

  • Patrizio Zanobini

    (Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Luca P. Vecchio

    (Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20123 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

The Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic and the associated “infodemic” have shown the importance of surveillance and promotion of health literacy, especially for young adults such as university students who use digital media to a very high degree. This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Italian version of the COVID-19 adapted version of the Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI). This cross-sectional study is part of the COVID-19 University Students Survey involving 3985 students from two Italian universities. First, item analysis and internal consistency were assessed. Then, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) were performed comparing different models. The Italian DHLI showed good psychometric characteristics. The protecting privacy subscale was excluded, given the criticalities presented in the validation process. CFA confirmed the four-factor structure, also including a high-order factor. This result allows using the scale to measure a global level of digital health literacy and consider its levels separately for each construct component: searching the web for information, evaluating reliability, determining personal relevance, and adding self-generated content.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Lorini & Veronica Velasco & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi & Kevin Dadaczynski & Orkan Okan & Patrizio Zanobini & Luca P. Vecchio, 2022. "Validation of the COVID-19 Digital Health Literacy Instrument in the Italian Language: A Cross-Sectional Study of Italian University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6247-:d:820491
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rubeena Zakar & Sarosh Iqbal & Muhammad Zakria Zakar & Florian Fischer, 2021. "COVID-19 and Health Information Seeking Behavior: Digital Health Literacy Survey amongst University Students in Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-20, April.
    2. Nutbeam, Don, 2008. "The evolving concept of health literacy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(12), pages 2072-2078, December.
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    4. Uday Patil & Uliana Kostareva & Molly Hadley & Jennifer A. Manganello & Orkan Okan & Kevin Dadaczynski & Philip M. Massey & Joy Agner & Tetine Sentell, 2021. "Health Literacy, Digital Health Literacy, and COVID-19 Pandemic Attitudes and Behaviors in U.S. College Students: Implications for Interventions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-14, March.
    5. Rafaela Rosário & Maria R. O. Martins & Cláudia Augusto & Maria José Silva & Silvana Martins & Ana Duarte & Inês Fronteira & Neida Ramos & Orkan Okan & Kevin Dadaczynski, 2020. "Associations between COVID-19-Related Digital Health Literacy and Online Information-Seeking Behavior among Portuguese University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-11, December.
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    9. Rachael H. Dodd & Kevin Dadaczynski & Orkan Okan & Kirsten J. McCaffery & Kristen Pickles, 2021. "Psychological Wellbeing and Academic Experience of University Students in Australia during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-12, January.
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